Sunderland are looking to strengthen key areas of their squad during the January transfer window
Sunderland’s January recruitment drive will also see the club look to strengthen in ‘one or two’ other positions but, as things stand, no incomings are imminent. Michael Beale said that Sunderland is ‘busy’ looking to add extra firepower this month, as he confirmed that Chelsea striker Mason Bustow will see out his season-long loan with the Wearsiders.
Head coach Beale stated, “We are looking,” this afternoon prior to the team’s trip to Ipswich Town this coming weekend. “Every nine that is alive right now is connected to us, but we’re waiting for the proper nine to arrive and blend in. It needs to be within our means, and the player needs to show up and be very eager to assist us.
We are also considering one or two more roles. In general, it’s a challenging month.
A few teams in the vicinity appear to be loading up. Teams have already completed some work.
“That’s not to say we’re not busy in the background – we are – but at this moment in time there’s nothing to report.”
The lone goal scored by any of the four strikers Sunderland signed last summer was on New Year’s Day against Preston North End. The Black Cats have struggled to score goals in the first half of the season due to their lack of forwards. Burstow was one of those summer hires, and because the 20-year-old has spent most of his time on the bench lately, there have been rumors that Chelsea might bring him back.
That is unlikely to occur, according to Beale, who believes the England U20 international will contribute to Sunderland in the upcoming months. Mason, I think, is going to stay here, he added.
He’ll be here till the end of the season, as of right now, but we have discussed the possibility of a Chelsea recall. Under the former coach, he started seven games and is in good shape. The club did, however, not score any goals from Mason.
“Even though none of the four new strikers have scored any goals, you have to assume that they have made an impact because the squad is currently sixth in the league. I believe that after 26 games, everyone would have taken thing during the season’s beginning.”
Since Beale’s predecessor Tony Mowbray’s final game in charge at the beginning of January, Burstow has only played 45 minutes from the bench. Beale stated: “I put Rusyn in [against Preston] and he scored a really excellent goal, and his work ethic was incredibly infectious. Mason came on against Rotherham [between Christmas and New Year] in a difficult game and on a difficult ground.
“I’ve made an effort to revitalize that region; both Louis Hemir and Eliezer Mayenda are improving in the weight room and are excellent finishers. Those two were most likely purchased with the future in mind.
We’ll see. Since we also lost Bradley [Dack] and Paddy [Roberts for an extended period of time, we’d want to see some activity in the last third. People like Adil [Aouchiche] and Abdoullah [Ba], who I’m hoping to go up as well, have a great potential.”
